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Ritchie Valens, “La Bamba” (1958), Mexican folk song
The Beatles, “Twist and Shout” (1964), written by Bert Russell

These great songs are strikingly similar in harmonic structure, harmonic rhythm, melodic gestures, instrumentation, etc. In fact, they are so similar that in 1964, Johnny Rivers covered both songs in a medley on his album AtThe Whisky à Go Go.

 

Optional: Prepare to improvise on the harmonic progression of these songs. For practice, use the back-up track provided in C major, D major, and Bb major.

Piano